She is often called as the powerhouse behind Nagaland’s music fraternity. And rightfully so. Because for 40 years, Margaret Shishak has dedicated herself in the field of music, especially and particularly in Nagaland. Her decision to leave the US and settle in Nagaland has been a big boon for countless music students particularly. With her husband Dr.T.A Shishak, they had started the Patkai Christian College Nagaland in 1974.
An accomplished pipe organ player and pianist, she recollects learning piano from a high school student for one dollar a lesson while growing up in the US. With an M.Mus. in organ performance from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, Margaret has been truly influential in training and honing the musical gifts of Naga youth. From teaching fundamentals of music classes, conducting the choir, and giving piano tuition, she moulded fine western classical musicians out of Naga students. She shared her admiration for composer JS Park, and her own organ teacher Marilyn Mason. Among Nagas, she acknowledges the talents of Nise Meruno, Vivee Peseye and Ren Merry.
Her favourite musical memories she said are fond memories of being in choir (Moody chorale), participating in competitions and recitals. She also remembers enjoying attending very good concerts in the University where her youngest son Zingrin attended.
To young aspiring musicians hoping to continue with a future in music, she advises “Practice a lot and be disciplined. She also emphasizes a lot on slow learning adding, “If you can’t play slow you won’t be able to play fast. I know many music pianists may disagree with me on this but personally I emphasize on this”.
Margaret points out that in the West, the level of musical proficiency is very high and very hard to break into even for talented artistes. It’s so hard to get into the top-tier and definitely harder to make a living out of music, she said. However In Nagaland, she opines even a music teacher is able to earn a livelihood, adding “I do think that many people charge exorbitant rates. But it also seems like people are ready nowadays to pay huge sums to be taught music”.
Music she said keeps her happy saying, “Even if I am feeling tired. When I start playing, I don’t feel tired anymore. Music has that effect on me. I enjoy practicing new music and old ones too”.
She shyly laughs and confesses that she does not understand why everyone keeps on praising her. “I suppose I taught them well,” she admits. However she expresses pride that many of her students have gone on to do well musically. “I hear many of them are teaching outside Nagaland or have opened music schools. I wish more would come back and join us”, she hopes.
Zingrin Shishak, after his early training in Piano under his mother, Margaret Shishak, has gone on to get his musical degrees from the US. He did his Bachelor in Music from Wheaton College, and Master’s in Music at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA.
Zingrin started learning piano at the age of 8. Married to Louis with two children, the couple teaches music at Patkai Christian College. Louis did her Bachelor in Music from University of Sheffield, UK. The husband and wife are both part of the orchestra along with his mother and about 60 from Patkai who are part of both the orchestra and choir.
Commenting on the present music scenario in Nagaland, Zingrin says, “We’ve made a lot of progress in terms of music,” but adds, “It’s not easy to get qualified teachers. It’s not really available in India. You have to go abroad.”
Talking about his preparation for the concert, Zingrin says, “I’m not 100% ready yet.” “If you’re 100% ready you can only play at 80% during the concert. You have to be 120% to play at 100%,” he explains. “I’m never happy,” he says and adds, “There’s still room for improvement, but it’s not easy.” Although he has worked hard for this concert, Zingrin is apprehensive that something might go wrong. He says, “You never know, it’s scary.”
